MASTERS Member of the week: Remge Vink

Remge Vink owns the gyms FeelGoodClubs AeroFitt and Anytime in the Achterhoek. He is a sports enthusiast and MASTERS League member.

He is an entrepreneur, sports fanatic and member of MASTERS League. Remge Vink has conquered the East of the Netherlands with his gyms FeelGoodClubs AeroFitt and Anytime Fitness. How did Remge build this empire, what makes his clubs unique and how does he look back on the past year? Text: Larissa Schaule Jullens
Image: Marc Evenhauz Photography

Winning mentality

Remge Vink was only 21 years old when he decided to entrepreneur to become. Sports, and professional volleyball in particular was an important part of his life. “Volleyball was really my world, that's what I grew up with. I realized - when I became a bit more mature - that I couldn't do much with volleyball, unlike football to earn. I focused on my studies and as a side job I taught as a volleyball coach. One day the councilor came to me and asked me the question: why don't you start your own fitness here in the village? At that moment I knew immediately: this is it. Everything I wanted came together: people, sports, and the social aspect.”

How to build an empire

“I come from a warm and loving family, but none entrepreneurial family. I didn't have the resources to start something for myself. We sat down with the bank from my village to discuss the Financingand that was quite a challenge. After a year of hard work on one business plan and market research, I unfortunately received the answer that the financing could not go ahead. Yes, there was one way how the financing could be achieved: if my parents' house was collateral would serve. My parents are hard workers and we were certainly not well off, so I almost didn't get this proposal out of my mouth. When I decided to share this with my parents, I received the response: That's no problem, boy, let's do this, right? From here the adventure began, and I was sure that I would do everything I could to make this a success.”

Optimism = the key to success

After years of working hard on his dream, Remge now has eight gyms in the East of the Netherlands to his name. Five FeelGoodClubs AeroFitt branches and three Anytime Fitness branches. The entire Covid crisis has hit both Remge and his companies hard. “Right before corona, in March 2020 I had three new ones clubs opened. Fortunately, I have been able to build up a buffer over all these years, so I remain standing. I am a very positive person, and for me the glass is always half full instead of half empty. Through live streams, corona challenges, a special one drive true where you can have yourself measured, personal training and online nutritional advice We still try to get our members to exercise. And yes, I too have had days in the past year when I thought: what now? But I won't see a healthy company collapse as a result of this crisis. Above all, let's try to learn from it and come out stronger. It was an expensive lesson, but after Covid we are there Healthier and more innovative than ever.”

MASTERS League

A membership of the MASTERS League is a special privilege. This year there is room for a selected number of members and we will process registration on a first-come, first-served basis. The exclusive business club is part of MASTERS HQ and offers pleasant and special privileges, making networking one of your favorite activities. Do you think you fit the profile of a MASTERS Member? Mail:  Then send your application to Mical Joseph and maybe you can also call yourself a MASTERS Member in 2021!